FOX SPORTS NFL POWER RANKINGS

You hate to see a player lose his starting role due to injury, especially one that has been as successful as Alex Smith the past two seasons. But backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick gives this offense an explosive quality Smith couldn't.

It wasn't the offensive success we have grown accustomed to seeing out of Peyton Manning as of late, but the Broncos found a way to beat a desperate Chiefs team on the road on Sunday. No matter the record, that isn't an easy thing to do in the NFL.

Jay Cutler made some eye-popping throws on Sunday, some that I don't think any other quarterback in the NFL could make, or even attempt to make. That can be a really good thing at times or a really bad thing at other times.

It was an embarrassing loss to the Giants on Sunday, but they were missing key players along the offensive line and without their best two defensive players, Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews. They will bounce back, but need to get healthy in a hurry.

The Bengals have been on a tear since beating the Giants at home three weeks ago. Their playoff chances will come down to a head-to-head matchup against the Steelers in Week 16 and then a divisional game against the Ravens, who may not have much left to p

The Bengals have been on a tear since beating the Giants at home three weeks ago. Their playoff chances will come down to a head-to-head matchup against the Steelers in Week 16 and then a divisional game against the Ravens, who may not have much left to play for, in Week 17.

This three-headed rushing attack was supposed to compensate for the loss of Big Ben, Byron Leftwich and a depleted receiving corps. But all the running backs did Sunday against Cleveland was hurt them with each of them fumbling the ball at least once in t

This three-headed rushing attack was supposed to compensate for the loss of Big Ben, Byron Leftwich and a depleted receiving corps. But all the running backs did Sunday against Cleveland was hurt them with each of them fumbling the ball at least once in the game.

Bringing Reggie Wayne back may have been the most underrated move of the offseason. He is having arguably his best season ever and is now the first player since 1960 to have 70-plus receiving yards in each of his first 11 games of the season.

It was a tall order for the Saints to contain the 49ers pass rush of Aldon and Justin Smith with a converted reserve guard playing tackle for New Orleans on Sunday. They are still in the playoff hunt, but probably dug themselves too deep of a hole to star

It was a tall order for the Saints to contain the 49ers pass rush of Aldon and Justin Smith with a converted reserve guard playing tackle for New Orleans on Sunday. They are still in the playoff hunt, but probably dug themselves too deep of a hole to start the season.

The Redskins had a great Thanksgiving weekend with a win over the Cowboys and everyone else that is competing for the final NFC wild-card spot losing. Not sure they have the sustainability that some of the others do though.

I'll give the credit to the Browns for winning the game, but it was a little too tough for a team that was playing an opponent starting its third-string QB and a wide receiver they found on the street this week.

Norv Turner is going to catch the blame for losing another lead late in the game, but can you really fault him for his team surrendering a conversion on fourth-and-29 while missing at least six tackles on the play? That's not coaching.

Once the Titans got within three points in the fourth quarter on Sunday against Jacksonville, Jake Locker ended the final two possessions of the game by throwing two interceptions. Those are the types of growing pains you get out of a raw quarterback.

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.